($357+) Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $357 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $6,912 for full-service movers handling a larger 4+ bedroom household. The two cities sit about 369 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,156, while larger 4+ bedroom relocations can reach $6,912 or more.
- Moving containers run $884 - $2,884, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $357 - $847.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,876 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Columbia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service is the most expensive but covers everything from labor to transportation, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route averaging $1,876 - $4,906. Containers cost roughly 43% less than full-service for the same home size, and rental trucks run about 81% less, though loading is on you with either DIY option. At 369 miles, expect 1 to 4 days in transit no matter which service you choose.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 369-mile route from Montgomery to Columbia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,156 - $3,873 | $884 - $1,583 | $357 - $646 | $780 - $1,453 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,876 - $4,906 | $1,074 - $2,201 | $359 - $745 | $940 - $1,692 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,749 - $6,912 | $1,571 - $2,884 | $440 - $847 | $1,220 - $2,285 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated October 30, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Hiring full-service movers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, costs between $1,156 and $6,912. A full-service interstate moving company handles loading, transportation, and unloading across the 369-mile route, with optional professional packing available for an additional $247 - $1,644, depending on the size of your home. Your final cost comes down to two things: the total weight of your shipment and the distance between Montgomery and Columbia. For a rough baseline, movers based in Montgomery tend to start around $462 plus $133/hour per mover on local jobs, before long-distance pricing takes over for a move this size.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,156 - $3,873
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,876 - $4,906
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,749 - $6,912
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Montgomery to Columbia.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Specialty needs vary by market: 45% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 60% nationally. In Columbia, 57% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing64% of local movers | $411 - $4,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready45% of local movers60% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $164 - $986/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $247 - $1,973 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs36% of local movers | $822 - $2,466 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,055 - $8,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $616 - $1,170 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items36% of local movers26% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $822 - $2,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type45% of local movers40% nationallyTop pick: Coleman Worldwide Moving | $658 - $2,877 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling9% of local movers | $247 - $1,233 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect9% nationally | $534 - $1,644 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $247 - $12,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $247 - $2,877+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Columbia?
Look for South Carolina Trucking Association membership as a baseline when comparing movers in South Carolina beyond this list.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving is our pick for best overall value. Flat-rate pricing, 24/7 support, and 30 days of free storage make Safeway the clearest value on this list.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. AVL has been moving customers since 1995 and uses full-time in-house crews trained on high-value items like art and antiques.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. One of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, 24/7 monitoring, and an optional full-value protection plan against damage, loss, and breakage.
How much do local movers cost in Montgomery, AL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Montgomery to Columbia with a local mover averages $1,969 - $5,151. Working with a local mover based in Montgomery, AL often costs less than hiring a national carrier on routes under 500 miles. Shorter routes come with lower fuel overhead and simpler logistics, and local movers can offer more direct communication and quicker booking windows.
The tradeoff is that smaller companies may lack the infrastructure for longer hauls. Verify proper interstate licensing and relevant experience before signing anything.
Coleman Worldwide Moving (4.56/5 stars) is the top overall local mover in Montgomery, ranked #1 in Alabama, based on our analysis of feedback from 233 customers, 86.7% of which is positive.
Address: 1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL, 36108 | Founded: 1914
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $884 and $2,884. You're in charge of loading, and the timeline is yours to set. U-Haul allows 3 days while PODS gives you a full 30. After that, the company picks it up and delivers it to your new address. Running behind schedule? Storage in Montgomery costs roughly $70/month if you need it.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $884 - $1,583
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,074 - $2,201
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,571 - $2,884
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Storage: Monthly rental charges begin after the first 30 days. Expect roughly $62 per month for smaller containers (7 - 8 feet) and around $123 per month for larger units (12 - 16 feet).
- Moving labor: Containers don't come with loading help, so many customers hire hourly movers for the job. Two movers for about 5 hours will run you around $575 in Montgomery, AL, per moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Added contents protection: Standard coverage only reimburses by weight. Full-value protection gives you more complete coverage for higher-value items and typically costs 1% - 2% of your total declared value, around $500 - $1,000 on a $50,000 shipment.
- Access: National providers generally operate in both cities, but verify that a facility near your Columbia, SC, destination exists if you plan to access stored items.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to South Carolina move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $884. Underestimating how much you have and needing an extra container means paying for another one, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise. For reference, a 2 - 3 bedroom home typically runs $1,074 - $2,201.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Columbia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Montgomery to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Montgomery:
- C & R Movers, LLC (4.2/5), 12 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
- TWO MEN AND A TRUCK (4.5/5), 0 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Renting a moving truck for the 369-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, costs between $357 and $847, before these typical add-ons:
- Fuel for the drive: $97 - $110
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Montgomery to Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $357 - $646
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $359 - $745
- 4+ bedrooms: $440 - $847
Pro tip: The advertised base rate of $357 - $847 does not include fuel ($97 - $110), lodging ($123/night for overnight stops), meals, or equipment rentals. When you add those up, the true cost of your move from Montgomery to Columbia typically runs more than the base rate alone.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Equipment: Tow dollies, appliance dollies, and moving pads are not included in the base rate. These extras often total between $62 and $288.
- Lodging: An overnight stop typically averages around $123.
- Gas: Expect fuel to run between $97 and $110 for the 369-mile drive, depending on whether your truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: If you'd rather not do all the heavy lifting, budget around $575 for 2 movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about 5 hours.
- Additional insurance: Damage protection plans generally add about $30 per day.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Columbia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
If you're moving a larger household from Montgomery, Alabama, and want to stay in control of the loading process, freight trailers offer a practical middle ground between hiring movers and renting a truck yourself. A 28-foot trailer is delivered to your door, you load what you need, and the carrier handles the drive to Columbia, South Carolina.
Freight trailers are priced by the linear feet your belongings take up, so you only pay for the space you use. A 2 - 3 bedroom move on this route typically falls between $940 and $1,692.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $780 - $1,453
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $940 - $1,692
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,220 - $2,285
Pro tip: A 4-foot ramp sounds simple, but heavy or awkward furniture can make the climb tricky. With 8 feet of height to work with, smart vertical stacking is key. Since freight companies charge by the linear foot, every extra foot you use adds to the bill.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- More space: Freight trailers are billed by the section you fill. If you misjudge your shipment size, each extra foot of trailer space adds around $62 - $123 to your final bill.
- Peak season pricing: Expect higher rates during peak season (mid-May to mid-September) when trailer availability tightens across the country.
- Moving labor: Loading is on you unless you hire outside help. A half-day crew of two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, typically costs $575.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Columbia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is the best for large moves pick. While it's a top moving container option for the DIY hybrid setup (you handle the loading, they handle the driving), the same approach makes it a strong freight choice for 3 to 5+ bedroom homes that need 53 feet of trailer capacity with pay-as-you-go pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack is the best value freight trailer here. In addition to their popular container service, U-Pack delivers a top-tier freight trailer option that uses the same pay-by-the-foot pricing model and skips deposits and upfront fees entirely.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Montgomery to Columbia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Columbia, SC
Day-to-day costs in Columbia are close to what you're used to in Montgomery: cost of living index of 87 versus 79, with average rent of $1,447/mo compared to $1,200/mo. With an index gap that small, budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. For reference, walkability and safety scores are 26/100 and 34.75/100 in Montgomery versus 35/100 and 48.39/100 in Columbia.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why book your mover through moveBuddha:
moveBuddha has processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to South Carolina in the past 3 months alone, keeping our pricing data current. Run your numbers through our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and steer clear of bad actors. For context, we track 112 movers based in Alabama, handy for sizing up options on this 369-mile route.
Our take
How you handle your interstate move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC, comes down to your budget and how much time and work you're able to put into it. Hands-off relocations handled by full-service movers range from $1,156 - $6,912 on the 369-mile route and handle everything. Moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $884 - $2,884 and put you in charge of loading. Rental trucks from Budget or U-Haul are the lowest-cost option at $357 - $847 with you handling everything. For full-service moves, Safeway Moving is our top pick, starting around $1,876 for a 2-bedroom move with 30 days of free storage and 24/7 live support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC
How do I know a mover is licensed in South Carolina?
To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers.
What do local movers charge in Montgomery?
Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Columbia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 4 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC?
Costs on this route range from around $357 to $6,912, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,156 and $6,912, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What is the cheapest way to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC?
Renting a moving truck is almost always the most affordable option, since you handle the loading, driving, and unloading yourself. A 2-bedroom rental truck move on this route averages $359 - $745. See our cheapest truck rental recommendations for the lowest available rates on your DIY move.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 45% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 36% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 40% and 26% nationally.